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Frederick's of Hollywood opened its first store outside the U.S. last weekend, in the conservative UAE capital of Abu Dhabi, and the chain plans a second store in Dubai soon. The move reflects a fast-growing demand for the latest fashions in the Arab world. "Despite the outward conservative culture ... this is a very fashion-conscious market. They're no less interested in what we have to offer," said chairman and CEO Thomas Lynch.

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Frederick's of Hollywood opened its first store outside the U.S. last weekend, in the conservative United Arab Emirates capital of Abu Dhabi, and the chain plans a second store in Dubai soon. The move reflects a fast-growing demand for the latest fashions in the Arab world. "Despite the outward conservative culture ... this is a very fashion-conscious market. They're no less interested in what we have to offer," said chairman and CEO Thomas Lynch.

Retailers added thousands of new jobs in July, including 3,400 at clothing and accessories stores and 5,400 at departments stores, according to a Labor Department report. "Looking back at the last year, we can see it has been very volatile ... but this has been the biggest gain since April and it is nice to see that," said Moody's senior economist Scott Hoyt.

A new ad campaign to promote Target's exclusive new 400-item line of apparel, housewares and other products from Missoni takes its inspiration from the fashionably dressed men and women who peopled the popular Italian films of the 1960s. The multichannel campaign aims to educate American consumers on how to mix and match the brand's bold colors via online, TV and mobile videos that feature tips from Margherita Maccapani Missoni, granddaughter of the company's founders.

Rue 21 is adding stores this year and expanding existing locations into the Rue 21 etc! format that sells accessories, purses, makeup and other items alongside its fast-changing collections of low-priced fashions, which are aimed at tween and teen girls. The chain prospered during the downturn as shoppers became more budget conscious. The pricing strategy could pay off this back-to-school season as families are expected to economize, according to recent NRF data.

Police in Austin, Texas, recently carried out a sting aimed at catching a ring of organized thieves who were stealing choice cuts of meat from supermarkets and reselling them to restaurants. Most eateries declined to buy, but Operation Meat Locker resulted in felony charges against three restaurants after each bought more than $1,500 worth of the stolen meat. Such organized retail theft is a growing problem, and 95% of retailers were victims last year, according to NRF's Joe LaRocca.